Lilith’s lips curled into a slow, unsettling smile as caras clicked sharply around the room. The flashing lights reflected in her bright blue eyes, giving her an almost unreal look. She stood tall, full of confidence, but she didn’t miss the quiet whispers from the crowd.
Across the room, a group of rich won stood together, speaking in low voices filled with spite as they gossiped.
"She’s crazy," one of them muttered, her perfectly manicured fingers adjusting her necklace. "Why is she making such a fuss? She’s just an orphan, after all, marrying into a rich family. How foolish of her."
"Exactly," another chid in, her nose wrinkling as though she slled sothing unpleasant. "Poor ntality, that’s what it is. Can’t even forgive a man apologizing in front of everyone."
"And Rayan was even saying sorry," a third added, shaking her head as she took a sip of her champagne. "Why is she dragging this out instead of just saying yes?"
"If she didn’t want this engagent to happen, why did she bother dressing like that?" the first one whispered harshly. Her gaze swept over Lilith’s stunning silver gown. "It’s like she’s here to seduce him even more."
"God, I can’t believe this," another woman sighed, fanning herself dramatically as though the scene was too much for her delicate sensibilities.
Lilith’s smile didn’t falter as the cruel words reached her ears. If anything, it grew more sinister. Her chin tilted slightly, and her sharp gaze flickered toward the won briefly before returning to Rayan. She didn’t need to say a word to silence them—they gaze is enough.
Her hands rested lightly on her hips as she took a step closer to Rayan, her every movent exuding calm control.
Rayan, who overheard the gossip, thought Lilith was a fool. Why wouldn’t she want to marry a rich man like him?
Even though he knew the truth was different, he still wanted to marry her—but for his own reasons.
"So, you really believe I wasn’t ntally abusing her? What else..." Lilith’s sharp gaze pierced into him. "Do you want to remind you of that night when..." when the original Lilith died and the two of them had been tangled together, kissing and rolling on the bed.
Disgusting.
Rayan’s face paled as panic flashed through his eyes. He looked at her, anger bubbling inside him. At that mont, he felt like he wanted to kill her. He hated her.
"Child, why dwell on the past? Let’s focus on the engagent," said Old Mr. Brooks, Rayan’s grandfather, breaking his silence. His voice was calm, but his sharp eyes held authority.
"Yes, yes... we should move forward," Rayan’s father quickly added, nodding in agreent.
Mrs. Brooks wiped her tears and looked at Lilith with a pleading expression. "Child, you should forgive Rayan. We love you so much, like our own daughter," she said, her voice trembling as she began to cry again.
"Child, why dwell on the past? Let’s focus on the engagent," Old Mr. Brooks said firmly, his sharp eyes narrowing on Lilith, his tone leaving no room for argunt.
"Yes, yes, we should move forward," Rayan’s father added, forcing a smile, though the tension in his voice betrayed him.
Mrs. Brooks stepped closer, her face tear-streaked, and her voice trembled as she pleaded, "Child, you should forgive Rayan. We love you so much, like our own daughter. Please don’t let this little misunderstanding ruin everything."
Lilith let out a low, humorless laugh that froze everyone in place. She tilted her head, her piercing gaze landing on Mrs. Brooks. "Forgive him? A little misunderstanding?" she repeated, her voice dripping with icy sarcasm. "Tell , Mrs. Brooks, which part do you think I should forgive? The lies? The cheating? Or the humiliation he so kindly delivered?"
Mrs. Brooks flinched, her tears flowing freely now. "He made a mistake, child. n make mistakes—"
"A mistake?" Lilith cut her off sharply, her voice rising. "A mistake is spilling coffee on your skirt, not climbing into another woman’s bed. Or have your family standards sunk so low that you consider infidelity a minor hiccup?"
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence, broken only by Mrs. Brooks’ quiet sobbing. Rayan’s grandfather’s face hardened, his voice booming as he tried to take control. "Enough of this nonsense! You’re being unreasonable. Rayan is a fine man, and this engagent will happen. You should be grateful for the opportunity!"
Lilith turned her sharp gaze on him, a sly smile forming. "Grateful? For what? A cheating fiancé and a family that covers for him? I don’t think so," she said coldly.
Rayan, who had been standing silently, finally snapped. "You think you’re perfect, Lilith? Stop acting like a victim! You knew what you were getting into."
Lilith’s smirk deepened as she faced him. "Oh, I knew exactly what I was getting into," she said softly, her words laced with venom. "But you... you clearly didn’t. You thought I’d roll over and accept your lies? Think again, Rayan."
Mrs. Brooks sobbed harder, Mr. Brooks clenched his jaw in anger, and Rayan looked like he was seconds away from losing control.
Taking a deep breath, Old Mr. Brooks forced himself to calm down, pushing back his growing frustration as he weighed the reasons behind marrying Lilith into their family. He knew how delicate the situation had beco.
"Sorry, Lilith, child," he began, his voice low and asured, a smile plastered across his face that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "You know, in a family’s eyes, their child is still just a child, capable of making mistakes. But forgiveness is what holds us together. You’ve had your mont to let your anger out, and I believe it must have eased your heart by now." He gestured toward the lavishly decorated stage at the front of the hall. "So, let’s move on. Let’s start the engagent."
Lilith’s eyes flickered to the stage, where a giant heart-shaped design displayed her and Rayan’s nas entwined. The sight might have been charming to anyone else, but to her, it felt like a hollow spectacle, a show ant to cover up the truth.
"Yes, Lilith..." Rayan’s voice cut in, his tone unusually soft, almost pleading. "I love you."
He reached out as if to take her hand, a bold move designed to seal his words with action. But before he could touch her, Lilith stepped back ever so slightly, her icy gaze locking onto his, stopping him in his tracks.
"You love ?" she asked, her voice calm but sharp enough to cut through the tension in the room. Her lips curled into a faint, mocking smile. "Don’t mistake your guilt for love, Rayan. And don’t assu I’m here to play along with your gas."
The room grew silent, Mrs. Brooks looked panicked, her teary eyes darting between Lilith and Rayan, while Old Mr. Brooks’ forced smile wavered ever so slightly.
"Lilith, child..." Old Mr. Brooks tried again, but Lilith raised a hand to silence him, her confidence radiating as she took control of the mont.
"I am not a doll to be placed on a stage and paraded around for your convenience," she said firmly, her voice carrying across the hall. "If you think this engagent is going to happen on your terms, you’re mistaken."
The faint sound of whispers among the guests started again, but Lilith didn’t care. This wasn’t just about her anymore—it was about showing them all that she wasn’t soone they could control.
Rayan’s hand lingered awkwardly in mid-air for a mont before he slowly pulled it back, his expression darkening as he clenched his fists. He hated her defiance, but deep down, he also feared the strength behind it, because she is...
Mr. Brooks, Rayan’s father, was seething inside, his sha barely concealed behind a forced smile. His jaw tightened as he glanced at the murmuring guests. Damn it! This girl was blind to the damage she was doing to his family’s reputation. Couldn’t she see the whispers of judgnt spreading like wildfire?
Clearing his throat, he forced a laugh, the sound unnatural and strained. "Alright, alright! You two—younger generation these days always know how to create so drama, don’t you?" His words were loud enough to cut through the tension in the room, but his tone carried a subtle edge of irritation.
"Enough fun now," he added, stepping forward as if to take control of the situation. "Stop playing around, both of you. Let’s not keep the guests waiting any longer, hmm? Let’s start the engagent ceremony already!"
His eyes darted between Lilith and Rayan, silently pleading for cooperation while masking his growing impatience. To anyone watching, he was trying to smooth things over, but inside, he was raging. This wasn’t the flawless event he had envisioned—it was spiraling out of control.
Lilith, however, didn’t even flinch. She tilted her head slightly, her piercing blue eyes locking onto Mr. Brooks like a hawk sizing up its prey. The faint smirk tugging at her lips told him she wasn’t going to make this easy.
"Playing around?" she echoed softly, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, forgive , Mr. Brooks. I didn’t realize calling out lies and betrayal was considered entertainnt these days."
The room grew quieter as the guests exchanged nervous glances, the tension rising again.
Reviews
All reviews (0)